Mediterranean Programme - [06/01/2008]

Hopeful signs for the reunification of Cyprus

Between 30 May and 1 June, some 20 members from the EU-Turkey study group - including Eduard Soler, Coordinator of the CIDOB Foundation's Mediterranean Programme - paid a visit to Nicosia with the aim of observing and, as far as possible, contributing in a constructive manner to the discussions over the reunification of this island in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Over the course of three days, the group interviewed 15 politicians and experts, including Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot President, George Iacouviou, the Commissioner to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Yorgos Vasilou, the ex-President of the Republic, as well as various parliament ministers, academics and journalists, including Kiriakos Pieris and Süleyman Ergütclü.

This trip enabled the members of the group to gauge the island's political life, about which a guarded optimism could be detected following Dimitiris Christofias’ victory in last February's elections. Different work groups and technical committees are currently exploring possible channels toward achieving a resolution of the division of the island, and various sources claim that tangible results could emerge this summer, to open a process of formal negotiations.

The resolution of this dispute is of great importance for the island's inhabitants, as well as for the European Union and for Turkey itself. That is why the EU-Turkey study group - which firmly believes that Turkey should be given fair treatment in its application for EU membership - chose Nicosia as their meeting place. At a time in which Turkey's political life could add further difficulties to the already tortuous process of EU membership negotiations, hopes for the resolution of the Cyprus conflict could represent a great boost for Ankara.

After their trip, the study group - which includes Mary Kaldor, Gian Giacomo Mignone, Kalypso Nicolaidis and Hugh Pope - concluded that the next few months will be vital for both Cyprus and Turkey. In these circumstances, greater commitment by the civil societies of the parties involved and constructive attitudes from the international community could have a positive impact to create favourable conditions for reunification.

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